The Combined Effect of Elevated Blood Pressure and Occupational Noise Exposure on Bilateral High-Frequency Hearing Loss: Evidence from a Large Sample Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background Combined effect of elevated blood pressure and occupational noise exposure on hearing loss have rarely been evaluated among Chinese population. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 242,811 participants. Logistic regression model was performed to estimate the independent and combined associations. Results Compared with participants without occupational noise exposure, the risk of bilateral high-frequency hearing loss (BHFHL) was significantly higher for noise exposure 10 years or more (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.23-1.35). Compared with no hypertension, participants with grade 1 hypertension had higher risk of BHFHL in all age groups (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.09-1.20). As to the combined effect, the highest BHFHL risk was found in males (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.37-1.67), especially among participants with grade 1 hypertension older than 50 years (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.46-1.88). Conclusions Elevated blood pressure may synergistically influence hearing loss combined with occupational noise exposure.